A couple of weeks ago I made a post giving some advice on how to decide what kind of motorcycle is right for you. In the following posts, I will describe more in detail the different kind of motorcycles you can choose from.

Picking the right motorcycle can be just as difficult (if not more difficult) than picking the right car. It doesn’t’ matter what brand of car you look for, you can quibble over the price and then you’re done. When it comes to motorcycles however, you could spend a great deal of time figuring out what type is right for you, your budget, and your lifestyle before you even start looking for a particular brand.

So far, we have sportbikes, tourers, cruisers, motocross and a few more basic types available in many different brands and models. My best advice is to first assess your budget and time you’ll spend as a motorcyclist. Then tackle the rest.

Motorcycle Buying Guide Part 1 – Standard Motorcycles and Sportbikes

Standard Motorcycles

The most common type of motorcycle is the standard motorcycle and it’s the one that you probably see on the streets every day. They offer adequate power, sufficient comfort (upright riding position) and are safe for those who aren’t interested in racing or touring. Standard motorcycles usually weigh less than 200 kg (440 lbs) and they have a wheel base that’s typically less than 150cm (5 feet). Their engine capacity is generally between 125 cc to 500 cc (you can find a few models in this category that go up to 750 cc but it’s not common, though) while their horsepower normally run anywhere from 15 hp to 80 hp.

So in essence, you can get a decent amount of power with one of these bikes and really good gas mileage. Dozens of different styles will keep your ride unique and you’ll find a lot of options available over several major brands. Most people who operate a standard motorcycle do so for commuting around town and they don’t take it out for long road trips. You can find Yamaha, Suzuki, Honda, Kawasaki and a few other motorcycles in this category.

Sportbikes

If you’re looking for more speed and you’re willing to give up a little (sometimes a lot, depending on the model you choose) of the comfort that standard motorcycles offer, then a sportbike motorcycle is for you. The engine sizes of sportbikes normally sit between 600 cc to 1000 cc, giving you an abundance of acceleration to satisfy any moderate craving for speed. Sportbikes are also known for good maneuverability and quick stopping capabilities.

With a 140cm (55 inches) wheelbase, these motorcycles sit lower to the ground than standard bikes do and the horsepower is typically 20%-40% higher than what’s available for standard models.

These motorcycles are not appropriate for longtime street or road riding however. The position in which riders sit on them doesn’t really provide for any comfort and they have a tendency to stress the wrists. They’re also built for asphalt and concrete acceleration; forget about riding on trails or off-road with a spotbike.

Even though it’s tempting, it’s important that riders do not get carried away with this kind of bikes. Although they can cross over into the sports arena, they’re not 100% sports capable.

You can find sportbikes made by Yamaha, Suzuki, Honda, Kawasaki, Ducati, Triumph and a few others as well. Neither is better as they vary by specific model and year.

Bear in mind that both standard motorcycles and sportbikes can be enhanced with lots of accessories, options, and customized alterations including paint, seat fabric, and more.

These are just two types of motorcycles that might catch your fancy. Just be careful not to buy a sportbike for commuting or a standard motorcycle for fast and curvy roads. Neither are appropriate for cruising or touring, yet both will do a terrific job for the purposes that they’re built for.